"We believe in the unifying power of sport and the global impact that a Fifa World Cup can have, the DFB said. Our goal is to strengthen this positive force not to prevent it. The federation said its executive committee met and discussed the option of a boycott of this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, a consideration first proposed last week by the DFB vice-president, Oke Gottlich."
"In what appears to be a public rebuke to Gottlich, however, the DFB said debates on sports policy should be conducted internally and not in public. The DFB said a boycott is not currently under consideration. The DFB is in contact with representatives from politics, security, business, and sports in preparation for the tournament."
"Trump has sowed discord in Europe with his takeover bid for Greenland and threats to impose tariffs on European countries that opposed it, while US actions in Venezuela and at home in dealing with protests in American cities have also raised alarm. The former Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, last week advised fans to stay away from the tournament, which starts on 11 June. There has been disquiet in Germany over Trump's behaviour on the global stage."
The DFB ruled out a boycott of the World Cup despite calls to use the tournament to send a message to Donald Trump. The federation emphasized belief in sport's unifying power and the global impact of a Fifa World Cup, stating the goal is to strengthen that positive force rather than prevent it. The executive committee considered a boycott after DFB vice-president Oke Gottlich proposed it, but said debates on sports policy should remain internal. The DFB said a boycott is not under consideration and that it is coordinating with political, security, business and sports representatives as preparations continue.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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